Is climate change an urgent problem?

Six in 10 adults (61%) in Scotland believe climate change is an urgent problem, according to statistics.

After one of the hottest summers on record, many people around the country are reflecting on the state of the earth’s climate and how pollution and plastics are playing a role.

Young people appear to be particularly concerned about global warming, while worry is lowest among those in the 75+ age group.

The figures are contained in the annual 2017 Scottish Household Survey published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, which contains a wide-ranging look at people’s changing attitudes and circumstances in Scotland.

In the survey, respondents were asked questions about their attitudes towards climate change.

Some 61% last year agreed it is an “immediate and urgent” problem, up from 55% in 2016.

Some 18% said it is more of a problem for the future, 5% said it is not really a problem and 8% said they are not convinced that climate change is happening.

Just 7% said they think climate change will only affect other countries.

Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: “It’s no surprise a growing number of people are concerned about climate change, it’s playing out in front of our eyes.  This week it was confirmed this summer was the joint hottest on record in the UK.

“Now we need politicians of all colours to ensure the Climate Change Bill currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament, shows the leadership needed to avoid the worse impacts of climate change both here and abroad.”

What do you think? Is climate change an urgent problem or an overblown political issue? Share your views at Speakers Corner